offroaddiver
Guest
I personally have found within the past week that the "friendly" dive shops don't even know the products they sell. I asked them how their brand of regulator varied from other brands, there were only 2 that didn't bash the other brand. The LDS I do business with said "oh yeah I have one of those regulators" or "here's some info on those guys" The huge shocker was when the owner said "we sell(brand) because it performs well and it's about medium priced for those who are getting introduced to diving, so that they can if they need to upgrade in the future. (brand's regulator) is what I suggest for beginners who plan on shallow dives and can't afford to pay the high end prices."
I asked the owner about buying online. His only statement that seemed derogatory in any terms is: "alot of the online stores buy out gear that small dive shops, that couldn't cut it in the market, need to sell." He went on further to suggest that if I buy anything used online to have it serviced before using it underwater....you never know when it was serviced last, plus it's a way to know that everything will be in working order before you are in and emergency situation. If you buy anything bring it by and I'll inspect it and show you how to inspect it."
I guess I'm extremely lucky. The owner is great...when the shop is supposed to be open it is open, and when he says he'll be there at a given time he will be. I've known the owner and the previous one before him for several years.
Diveshops and other retail stores be warned!!! There are people who do honest business and don't pressure us. Why do you think you only see the people who bought that sale gear maybe once a year? We will find people who will treat us with respect and not see us as the next dive gear you can buy on commision. We're not gonna take it anymore and will dread coming into that shop. When people like the shop, they'll find stuff to buy inside. When customers like the brand and not the shop, they will buy a minimum and never return. Look at the mom and pop hardwear stores...there are home stores that sell every possible item in the world inside. Yet people like me will go to the mom and pop store and buy that box of screws I need cause I know I'll see a friendly face and not have to deal with teenagers who only work there cause mommy knows the manager or because they want to work at minimum wage to save up for that new video game. We're sick and tired and we're not gonna take it anymore.
I asked the owner about buying online. His only statement that seemed derogatory in any terms is: "alot of the online stores buy out gear that small dive shops, that couldn't cut it in the market, need to sell." He went on further to suggest that if I buy anything used online to have it serviced before using it underwater....you never know when it was serviced last, plus it's a way to know that everything will be in working order before you are in and emergency situation. If you buy anything bring it by and I'll inspect it and show you how to inspect it."
I guess I'm extremely lucky. The owner is great...when the shop is supposed to be open it is open, and when he says he'll be there at a given time he will be. I've known the owner and the previous one before him for several years.
Diveshops and other retail stores be warned!!! There are people who do honest business and don't pressure us. Why do you think you only see the people who bought that sale gear maybe once a year? We will find people who will treat us with respect and not see us as the next dive gear you can buy on commision. We're not gonna take it anymore and will dread coming into that shop. When people like the shop, they'll find stuff to buy inside. When customers like the brand and not the shop, they will buy a minimum and never return. Look at the mom and pop hardwear stores...there are home stores that sell every possible item in the world inside. Yet people like me will go to the mom and pop store and buy that box of screws I need cause I know I'll see a friendly face and not have to deal with teenagers who only work there cause mommy knows the manager or because they want to work at minimum wage to save up for that new video game. We're sick and tired and we're not gonna take it anymore.